Clothing accessory that protects from the cold

ABSTRACT

A clothing accessory that protects from the cold, comprising a sleeve-shaped body having a top opening and a bottom opening, the top opening of the body at least comprising retaining means capable of fixing said body to both the neck and the lower portion of the face of the user, wherein fastening means are arranged in a rear portion of the top opening of the sleeve-shaped body, it being possible to firmly couple said fastening means to the ears and the back portion of the head of the user to hold the accessory in place.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a clothing accessory to be used as protection against the cold, which allows both the neck and parts of the face, such as the ears of the user wearing it, to be covered.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are known clothing accessories which are typically used by people who perform work or leisure activities while being exposed to a cold wind, e.g. outdoor workers or athletes.

Examples of these known accessories are scarves and handkerchiefs, which provide effective protection in low or no wind conditions; however, they are insufficient in case of strong or moderate winds at very low temperatures. Another disadvantage is that they shift as a result of the motions of the body, thus exposing it.

Therefore, the protection against the cold afforded by these accessories is very limited.

On the other hand, the so-called neck gaiters are also known, which consist in a sleeve-shaped piece made of a flexible, insulating material.

The user inserts her head through the openings of the sleeve-shaped article, the latter resting on the outside of the user's neck. At least one of the openings of the sleeve-shaped article, usually that closest to the head, comprises fixing means surrounding said opening, e.g. a cord with a locking device, an elastic cord, etc., which allow the gaiter to be fixed to the neck or the lower portion of the face.

In the present specification the term “lower portion of the face” is understood to mean two positions of the accessory: a first one, where only the mouth is covered, and a second one, where the nose is also covered.

However, in practice, the gaiter is not efficiently held in the initial fixed position due to the motions made by the user's head. While the head is moving, the gaiter tends to move out of position, sliding down the neck towards the shoulders, thereby leaving part of the neck and the face exposed.

On the other hand, these known accessories do not allow the ears of the person wearing it to be protected from the cold, an additional accessory being consequently required.

The so-called balaclavas are also known, which allow the neck, the lower portion of the face and the ears, as well as the upper portion of the face, to be covered, only the eyes' area being exposed. However, this accessory is usually uncomfortable when the necessary motions of the head are carried out.

Thus, it is necessary to design, in a simple and economic manner, a clothing accessory for cold weather that is comfortable for the user, allows both the neck and parts of the face, such as the ears, to be simultaneously protected, and remains in the initially fixed position, regardless of the head motions made by the user during her work or leisure activities while exposed to a cold wind.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above, the present invention relates to a clothing accessory that protects from the cold.

The clothing accessory comprises a sleeve-shaped body having a top opening and a bottom opening.

At least the top opening of the body comprises retaining means that can fix said body to the neck or the lower portion of the face of the user wearing the accessory.

Likewise, fastening means are arranged on a rear portion of the top opening of the sleeve-shaped body. These fastening means can be firmly coupled to the ears and the back portion of the head of the user to hold the accessory in place.

That is, in use the accessory stays firmly fastened to the back of the neck and the ears of the user and, in turn, the rear portion of the top opening of the sleeve-shaped body protects the ears from the cold, which are kept inside of it.

Conversely, by being firmly attached to the accessory, the fastening means can remain in the initial position in which they were arranged, even if the user makes motions with her head brought about by her work or leisure activities.

In other words, the accessory will not involuntarily slide down the neck of the user towards her shoulders when her head moves.

Furthermore, the firm fastening of the accessory allows the position of the fastening means to be easily changed, in order e.g. to smoke or eat, without leaving the neck exposed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This specification is supplemented with a set of drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment, which are never intended to limit the invention.

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of the clothing accessory coupled to a user.

FIG. 2 depicts a view of the development of the clothing accessory of FIG. 1.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above, the present invention relates to a clothing accessory that protects from the cold.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the clothing accessory comprises a sleeve-shaped body (1) having a top opening (1.1) and a bottom opening (1.2).

The body (1) could be made of a flexible, insulating material.

Likewise, the accessory comprises fastening means (4) which are arranged on a rear portion (1.11) of the top opening (1.1) of the body (1).

In use, the fastening means (4) are firmly coupled to each ear, by means of respective ends (4.2, 4.3), and to the back portion of the head of the user, i.e. the back of the neck, with a view to holding the accessory in place.

Preferably, the fastening means (4) comprise a semi rigid element (4.1) arranged inside the perimeter edge of the rear portion (1.11) of the top opening (1.1).

Likewise, said semi rigid element (4.1) is preferably made of a steel or plastic material, shaped into a substantially semicircular shape in correspondence with the back shape of the user's head.

On the other hand, at least the top opening (1.1) of the body (1) comprises retaining means (3) allowing said body (1) to be fixed, as desired, to the front portion of the neck or the lower portion of the face of the user.

The retaining means (3) are arranged between the ends (4.2, 4.3) of the fastening means (4), on a front portion (1.12) of the top opening (1.1).

In a preferred embodiment, the retaining means (3) comprise respective cords (3.1, 3.2) fixed to the ends (4.2, 4.3) of the fastening means (4) and arranged inside a hem (1.121) made on the edge of the front portion (1.12) of the top opening (1.1).

Preferably, the cords (3.1, 3.2) are held together by means of a locking device (3.3).

Likewise, said cords (3.1, 3.2) are preferably elastic.

In another alternative of the retaining means (3), they could comprise a Velcro strip (not shown in the figures). 

1. A clothing accessory that protects from the cold, comprising a sleeve-shaped body having a top opening and a bottom opening, the top opening of the body at least comprising a retaining system capable of fixing said body to both the neck and the lower portion of a face of a wearer, wherein a fastening system is arranged in a rear portion of the top opening of the body, it being possible to firmly couple said fastening system to the ears and the rear portion of the head of the wearer to hold the accessory in place.
 2. A clothing accessory according to claim 1, wherein the fastening system comprises a semi rigid element arranged inside the perimeter edge of the rear portion of the top opening.
 3. A clothing accessory according to claim 2, wherein the semi rigid element is made of a steel or plastic material.
 4. A clothing accessory according to claim 1, wherein the retaining system is arranged between ends of the fastening system, on a front portion of the top opening.
 5. A clothing accessory according to claim 4, wherein the retaining system comprise respective cords fixed to the ends of the fastening system and arranged inside a hem (1.121) made on the edge of the front portion of the top opening.
 6. A clothing accessory according to claim 5, wherein the cords are held together by of a locking device.
 7. A clothing accessory according to claim 6, wherein the cords are elastic.
 8. A clothing accessory according to claim 4, wherein the retaining system comprises a Velcro strip. 